The Thoughtful Counselor

In this episode, Dr. Megan Speciale interviews Jamila Dawson, LMFT and Theodore Burnes, PhD on sex worker-affirming mental healthcare, the topic of their new book, " Essential Clinical Care for Sex Workers." The authors discuss common issues faced by individuals involved in the sex industry, the impact of stigma and whorephobia on the mental and emotional well-being of sex workers, and the clinica...

There are many counselors who are considering going back to school to get their PhD but are unsure what this process looks like. In this episode, Helen Jennings-Hood discusses her personal journey and insights that can help others if they are considering starting a doctorate program in Counselor Education and Supervision.   For more on our guests , links from the conversation, and APA citation for...

In this episode, Dr. Mickey White talks with Dr. Stacey Williams to discuss her research and experiences with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We discuss what PCOS is and how PCOS impacts mental health, stigma, and resiliency across gender.   For more on our guests , links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit https://concept.paloaltou.edu/resources/the-thoughtful-counsel...

Dr. Andy Choi shares his journey from his graduate education to his current role as a licensed psychologist. Andy shares how scholars, mentors, friends, and family influence his work today.   For more on our guests , links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit https://concept.paloaltou.edu/resources/the-thoughtful-counselor-podcast   The Thoughtful Counselor is created in...

In this episode, join Dr. Jessica Tyler in an enlightening conversation on maternal mental health with Kellie Wicklund, psychotherapist and Clinical Director of the Maternal Wellness Center. Kellie delves into her 20-year career, spotlighting her dedication to perinatal mental health and helping clients navigate the complexities of parenthood. Unpacking the layers of reproductive health psychology...

In our last episode of the series "Lifespan Development Through a Cultural Lens," Dr. J. Kelly Coker shares her work exploring middle adulthood development. She dives into topics that are not often discussed in public or the literature, including psychological, emotional, and physical changes that adults experience as they age. Dr. Coker tackles empty nesters, menopause, the sandwich generation, a...

In this episode, Dr. Asha Dickerson will discuss her journey as an African American women who has held several leadership roles in counseling.   For more on our guests , links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit https://concept.paloaltou.edu/resources/the-thoughtful-counselor-podcast   The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University's Divisio...

Drs. Derek X Seward and Megan Speciale sit down for a compelling interview with Dr. Carlos Hipolito-Delgado as he shares his personal journey into counseling leadership and professional advocacy. Throughout this episode, Carlos offers invaluable insights on navigating counseling organizational structures, developing equity-focused approaches to leadership, and exploring the intersection of identit...

In this episode, Natasha Villalobos discusses her experience working with clients who identify with neurodivergent. She provides a multicultural lens on how to work with this population in an affirming, nonpathological way. Natasha describes how the movement towards more affirmative care for this population can increase connection while remaining person centered.   For more on Natasha , links from...

In this episode, Drs. Ana Guadalupe Reyes (they/elle) and Mónica Rodríguez Delgado (she/ella) share their experiences working with and on behalf of queer womxn of color in counseling. They discuss the importance of attending to the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality with queer womxn of color, as well as navigating sharing such nuanced lived experiences with their clients. Drs. Reyes and...

In this episode, Dr. Asia Lyons meets with Dr. Dèsa Karye Daniel to discuss the tenants of Racial Battle Fatigue. Throughout their conversation, they reflect on the experiences of Black Teachers and how sharing these experiences can change the narrative for future Black educators. Dr. Lyons gives examples of how mental health practitioners can support Black educators through culturally responsive...

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Tyler sits with Christine Banks-Van Allen to discuss the intersection between mental health diagnosis and social justice. We explore the real-life impact of diagnoses on individuals from marginalized communities, share stories highlighting the importance of cultural understanding, and uncover ways to advocate for change within our role as counselors. Tune in for an eye...

In the fourth episode in our series on cultural and contextual approaches to lifespan development, Dr. Savitri Dixon-Saxon shares her expertise on the development of adults. She discusses emerging adulthood and late adulthood, challenging the way we think about aging. Dr. Dixon-Saxon talks about the biases that counselors may have about older adults and advocates for stronger education to prepare...

In this episode, Dr. James Norris discusses how he utilizes hip hop music in his counseling practice to encourage authentic communication with clients. He gives practical suggestions on how to incorporate hip hop with clients who are drawn to this genre of music. For more on James, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit https://concept.paloaltou.edu/resources/the-thou...

In this episode, Drs. Romero, Interiano-Shiverdecker, and Prasath discuss their research lab and scholarly contributions to the topic of sex trafficking. They outline research findings and how they developed the CAST Lab. Implications for counselors, researchers, and educators are discussed.   For more on Devon, Claudia , & Priscilla, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode...

Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) are an increasingly popular modality of therapy, especially among adolescents and young adults. One popular TTRPG is Dungeons and Dragons, a fantastical adventuring game that can address themes of connection, confidence, and self-exploration. In this episode, Julia Stamman shares her experiences as a Game Counselor facilitating virtual D&D therapy groups and pr...

Join Dr. D è sa Daniel and Dr. James Garc í a as they discuss health disparities in LGBTQ+ communities of color, and how mental health providers can advocate for better care and services. They also talk about their work with students, mentorship, and the importance of HIV PrEP medication. Tune in to learn more about the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals seeking affirming care, and what can be...

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Tyler talks with Dr. Darius Green about undue police violence (UPV) and the mental health impact on our clients. We discuss the concepts of police legitimacy, UPV, and Dr. Green's article, Undue Police Violence Toward African Americans: An Analysis of Professional Counselors' Training and Perceptions, published in the Journal of Counseling & Development with his co-aut...

In this podcast, Dr. Speedlin Gonzalez interviews judges from the criminal and civil courts to discuss counselors' roles in the judiciary. Three judges describe their experiences working with counselors and how valuable our work is with both arms of the law (criminal and civil). The judges also talk about the concept of therapeutic jurisprudence and how the law and counseling collaborate effective...

According to the CDC there were approximately 223,135 Trauma Brain Injury (TBI) related hospitalizations in 2019. TBI has a large emotional impact on the caregivers of these individuals. In this episode Dr. Kim Jenkins-Richardson will discuss practical ways that clinicians can provide support for the caregivers of individuals with TBI.   For more on Dr. Kim Jenkins-Richardson , links from the conv...

In this episode, Dr. Whitney Akers and Dr. Mickey White talk about their research and experiences disclosing queer and trans identities as counselors, educators, and supervisors. What is the role of identity disclosure in counseling? The decision-making processes are complex and nuanced. Drs. Akers and White explore the complexity of identity disclosure and the potential healing power of community...

Dèsa Daniel speaks with African American Student Services Director Brandi Stone on the generational challenges impacting leadership and students within Black communities. They process the triumphs made by Black elders who established Cultural Centers and Africana Studies during the civil rights movement. Director Stone discusses her experiences of "sitting at the table" while navigating conservati...

In this episode, Dr. Victoria Kress shares her work in advocacy and talks about the importance of counselors engaging in professional protection. She shares her "1-minute elevator speech" and emphasizes that, as counselors, we need to build a strong professional identity. Dr. Kress imparts strategies for "little a" and "big A" advocacy, with the aim of protecting our licensure laws, increasing res...

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Tyler talks with Dr. Lindsey Portela and Olivia Dedels, counselors and previous Division-1 athletes, to talk about athletes and mental health. With the world enjoying the entertainment of the 2022 World Cup, what are the counseling needs of this population? What are their challenges, and how has the counseling world met the needs of athletes under extraordinary pressur...

Raissa Miller speaks with Yale social-emotional learning researchers ZJ Ng and Jenny Seibyl about their work on school-based SEL projects. Specifically, the researchers discuss the individualized and contextualized nature of emotion regulation, highlighting eight strategies and evaluating the pros and cons of each strategy.   For more on ZJ and Jenny, links from the conversation, and APA citation...